Solvent Exposure Monitoring

What is solvent exposure monitoring?

Solvent vapours monitoring measures the airborne concentration of volatile organic solvent vapours from paints, adhesives, degreasers, inks and cleaning agents that workers may breathe in during normal operations. It quantifies real personal exposure so employers can judge whether existing controls are adequate.

IndustrialAirMonitoring.uk provides independent solvent exposure monitoring across coatings and paint, printing, adhesives, engineering, cleaning sites throughout the UK. Our occupational hygienists deliver defensible exposure data that demonstrates compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the workplace exposure limits set out in HSE guidance note EH40.

Why solvent exposure monitoring matters

Under COSHH Regulation 10, employers must monitor exposure to hazardous substances where it is needed to protect health, where a workplace exposure limit could be exceeded, or where control measures need to be verified. Solvent vapours monitoring provides the objective evidence that satisfies this duty.

Uncontrolled exposure to solvent vapours is linked to headaches, narcosis, dermatitis and damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys. Beyond the legal duty, robust monitoring protects your workforce, reduces the risk of enforcement action and civil claims, and gives insurers and clients confidence that exposure is being actively managed.

How we carry out solvent exposure monitoring

We measure exposure using sorbent (charcoal) tube sampling drawn through calibrated pumps, with thermal/solvent desorption and GC analysis, following the recognised MDHS 96 / MDHS 88 methodology. Personal samplers are worn in the breathing zone for a representative full shift to derive an 8-hour time-weighted average, while static (background) samples help map contaminant sources across the workplace.

Samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory and the results compared with the relevant occupational exposure limit. Where short-term peaks are a concern we add 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL) sampling, so both the chronic and acute risk picture is captured.

Standards, limits and reporting

The current workplace exposure limit for solvent vapours is Substance-specific EH40 limits (EH40/2005, as amended). We assess compliance using the BS EN 689 statistical decision framework, which accounts for exposure variability rather than relying on a single result.

Your report sets out the measured concentrations, the compliance position, the adequacy of existing controls such as local exhaust ventilation, and a recommended re-monitoring interval. It is written to be understood by managers and to satisfy HSE inspectors, auditors and insurers.

Our solvent exposure monitoring process

Our solvent exposure monitoring programmes follow a structured, four-stage workflow so the results stand up to scrutiny. Request monitoring or book a site assessment to begin.

1Scoping & site survey. We review your processes, COSHH assessments and previous solvent exposure monitoring data, then plan a representative sampling strategy using BS EN 689 similar exposure groups.
2On-site sampling. Qualified occupational hygienists carry out calibrated breathing-zone and static measurements across a representative shift, with full chain-of-custody documentation.
3Accredited analysis. Samples are analysed using the relevant MDHS / ISO laboratory method and the results are compared against the applicable workplace exposure limit.
4Reporting & recommendations. You receive a clear exposure report with compliance status, control recommendations and a re-monitoring interval — defensible evidence for HSE, insurers and auditors.

Frequently asked questions

How are solvent vapours sampled?

Air is drawn through a charcoal sorbent tube on a personal pump; the captured vapour is then desorbed and quantified by gas chromatography against the relevant EH40 limit.

Can you measure mixed solvents?

Yes — multi-component solvent mixtures are speciated, and combined exposure is assessed using the additive formula in EH40.

What is a VOC in the workplace context?

Volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals that readily evaporate; in the workplace they include many solvents with their own exposure limits.